When most TV shows hit the airwaves, they struggle to make it an entire season and hope to find themselves along the way. Battlestar Galactica, however, began with this shiny miniseries, clearly establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the sci-fi TV ranks.For a basic plot summary, the BSG miniseries sees the Galactica spaceship set to be decommissioned after many years of service in the Cylon wars. Deemed too "outdated" for the modern era, the creaky ship is pressed into duty when the mysterious Cylons (a rebelling race of machines created by humans) suddenly return to wreak havoc on the galaxy.This is a clear example of a show that knew it would be good from the get-go. The acting is spot-on, the plot is intriguing, and the production values rival the pilot episode of LOST. It might come across as a bit egotistical, but BSG takes itself very seriously. Luckily, it has the gravitas to back it up.As far as the comparisons to the original BSG series, I can't make any, as I haven't watched a single second of it. Suffice it to say, though, that you don't have to have ANY prior knowledge to get sucked into the plot.Overall, this 3-hour miniseries sets the stage for the Sci-Fi Channel TV series, proving that shows ending in "Trek" or beginning with "Star" don't necessarily corner the market on sci-fi fare.

Yes, indeedy, this is one of those IMDb "re-reviews" written, as it were, "from the future" in that the reviewer already knows how the aforesaid mini-series begat a regular TV series; which begat several TV movies; which begat several webisodes; which begat great viewer joy. Did not mean to go all Biblical on you but, kindly note, (a) the storyline in BSG (both the original, and the reboot) is itself biblical, in that the characters follow an arc dictated by "prophecy"; and (b) this is generally believed to be the second-most addictive series in TV history, Joss Whedon's Buffy, of course, being the first. Other reviewers (100s here on the miniseries' page, 100s on the TV series' IMDb page) have already talked about the finer points, so let's get to the meat, the addiction. I have a theory. Buffy was addictive because somewhere in the early first season viewers went, OMG, this innocent teenage girl is hooking up with the hunky 1000 year old vampire and, OMG, they spent one night together and now he is trying to kill her. Literally. And over in BSG, aside from the super writing, the super acting, the wonderful blend of action and melodrama, you have (TA-DUH! ... my hypothesis) something just as visceral and unexpected happening; just as with Buffy, something that hooks you and keeps you hooked before you even realize you have been caught like a flounder. OMG, you say to yourself, that whiny, wingey, sciencey guy has hooked up with a babe who looks like she is "out of his league" by several big-city franchises at least; and, OMG, to stay hooked up with her it seems HE IS WILLING TO BETRAY THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. I mean, we have seen guys do foolish things to "get the girl" before, things they regret the next day, but we have never seen a guy betray HIS ENTIRE SPECIES ...? And (my favourite, the twist of the knife) just in case there were, maybe, 4 viewers left on the planet who did not "get" this -- in case it was just too subtle for them -- by the time the series cranks up, WE HAVE A REPEAT OF THE VERY SAME THEME ON THE BSG itself -- the Master Chief (the ship's mechanic) is having an affair with a junior officer who (once again!) is "out of his league," and EVEN THOUGH HE SUSPECTS THERE IS SOMETHING ODD ABOUT HER, that she may actually be a Cylon, he is generally willing to look the other way just to keep the relationship going. (Yes, yes, I know, the fact that these two key roles were portrayed by Tricia Helfer and Grace Park only makes these themes carry that much more impact). So there you have it. Two addictive shows. Two story arcs that, from the getgo, grab your attention with the issue of just how far we humans will go to pursue a relationship, whether it's healthy or not. Is that the real reason for the staying power of these shows? I really don't know, but I imagine this review will be here long after this reviewer has gone, so I will leave it to viewers of the "further future" to decide...

I believe this show is a great example of how acting and story come first, and not special effects. The story is superb along with the acting. Cylons mimicing humans is nothing new to the sci fi genre (Terminator) but still the way this tactic is interwoven into the human drama is what draws my attention.Unfortunately, at least for season 1, the special effects aren't too great. That shot of the Cylons during the title sequence marching through the door looks so pixelated, it's a wonder why the producers allowed that clip to be released. And this is after watching the entire season blu ray.I look forward to watching season 2, already on my Netflix waiting list.

The Battlestar Galactica mini-series is a two hour and a half extravaganza that sets itself up as an introduction to the forth coming full series, detailing the Cylon's attack on the twelve human colonies, that leaves the 'Galactica' and her rag tag fleet of civilian vehicles as the only thing between their robotic nemeses and total eradication of the human race. It pays homage to the original series and indeed as well as re-imagining its predecessor, attempts in its own way to gift them both existence in the same plane. More importantly, however, the mini- series sets out to stamp its own authority on the highly lacking sci-fi series universe using its brand of sublime special effects, intense action, gripping storyline and absorbing characters (even if one in particular is, thankfully, never seen again) to hook you from the get go so that you go further and search for its subsequent seasons. However, and unfortunately there is a however, the very first episode of the first season is an incredibly difficult place to start for those that have not watched the mini-series. Personally half way through the lengthy introduction I went out to purchase both seasons 1 and 2 on DVD as I was hooked, but the seasons do not lend themselves to watching without the introduction. So much happens and takes place and is set up in the preceding film that any one who you have recommended the new look "Battlestar" to simply must view this first, otherwise subtle nuances and plot points will be lost. Why is this such an issue? Simply because the "Mini-Series", while an enjoyable entertaining affair, does not prepare you for how good episode one is, and how you are then catapulted into a world which will eat away hours of your life. This first instalment is unrefined: certain quotations and characters are unnecessarily placed within it to cater to the original fan base (I'm also aware the director and producer are seeing what works within their construct) one of which is so far removed from needed that it almost spoils the experience. The dialogue is also in a rough stage of development, whereby the outlines of characters must be forged so the conversations and interactions don't flow as smoothly as they should, and can provide for a partially cringe worthy affair.However, I will maintain (as I have to many friends I have recommended it to) that perseverance is the key. You will not appreciate the greatness of the subsequent seasons without ploughing through the mini-series. Not that the mini-series isn't an enjoyable watch, but for those who are still undecided about the concept or not immensely avid science fiction fans, it can come across as turgid and clichéd, which is why I would suggest watching the first episode of the series immediately thereafter. If that doesn't capture your imagination then Battlestar Galactica is not for you. It is a great deal of time to invest in what is nothing more, for the cynics, than a dirge-fest of a 70s show transported into the noughties equipped with blonde bombshells and everything that any prepubescent needs in its sci-fi, but BSG is so much more than that, and to be frank, the quality of the show means that there are not many cynics about. Countless times, before I began watching, I read and read in various television supplements that this was and is the best thing on television, and to be frank they are right, for once you are involved it's a sterling whirlwind, but this two and a half hour affair is a must if you are to fully appreciate the series. If you enjoy or have enjoyed this instalment you will adore the series, for those still undecided I would recommend watching the first episode and judge from there whether you wish to continue, and for those that found this tedious and science fiction twaddle...well...you can just frak off!